Entropy and Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics.

The present Special Issue, 'Entropy and Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics', consists of seven original research papers [...

Fokker-Planck approach to non-Gaussian normal diffusion: Hierarchical dynamics for diffusing diffusivity.

A theoretical framework is developed for the phenomenon of non-Gaussian normal diffusion that has experimentally been observed in several heterogeneous systems. From the Fokker-Planck equation with the dynamical structure with largely separated time scales, a set of three equations is derived for the fast degree of freedom, the slow degree of freedom, and the coupling between these two hierarchies. It is shown that this approach consistently describes "diffusing diffusivity" and non-Gaussian normal diffusion.

Synthesis of Silver Modified Bioactive Glassy Materials with Antibacterial Properties via Facile and Low-Temperature Route.

There is an increasing clinical need to develop novel biomaterials that combine regenerative and biocidal properties. In this work, we present the preparation of silver/silica-based glassy bioactive (ABG) compositions via a facile, fast (20 h), and low temperature (80 °C) approach and their characterization. The fabrication process included the synthesis of the bioactive glass (BG) particles followed by the surface modification of the bioactive glass with silver nanoparticles.

Mechanical and Biocompatibility Properties of Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics Derived from Salmon Fish Bone Wastes.

Natural calcium phosphates derived from fish wastes are a promising material for biomedical application. However, their sintered ceramics are not fully characterized in terms of mechanical and biological properties. In this study, natural calcium phosphate was synthesized through a thermal calcination process from salmon fish bone wastes.

Guaianolides from (Kovalevsk.) Kovalevsk.

In continuation of our phytochemical study on the aerial part of (Kovalevsk.) Kovalevsk, three new guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones were isolated namely karatanolide (), 11,13-dihydrokaratanolide () and 11,13-dihydrokaratanolide (), in addition to the two known sesquiterpene lactones 1,10-dihydroxyarglabin () and artefin (). The structures of the isolated sesquiterpene lactones were elucidated by IR and NMR spectroscopy.

Dirac particles in transparent quantum graphs: Tunable transport of relativistic quasiparticles in branched structures.

We consider the dynamics of relativistic spin-half particles in quantum graphs with transparent branching points. The system is modeled by combining the quantum graph concept with the one of transparent boundary conditions applied to the Dirac equation on metric graphs. Within such an approach, we derive simple constraints, which turn the usual Kirchhoff-type boundary conditions at the vertex equivalent to the transparent ones.

Weak invariants in dissipative systems: action principle and Noether charge for kinetic theory.

In non-equilibrium classical thermostatistics, the state of a system may be described by not only dynamical/thermodynamical variables but also a kinetic distribution function. This 'double structure' bears some analogy with that in quantum thermodynamics, where both dynamical variables and the Hilbert space are involved. Recently, the concept of weak invariants has repeatedly been discussed in the context of quantum thermodynamics.

()-6-(Furan-2-yl-methyl-idene)-6,7,8,9-tetra-hydro-pyrido[2,1-]quinazoline-11-thione.

A quinazolinthione, CHNOS, was synthesized by the condensation reaction of 6,7,8,9-tetra-hydro-11-pyrido[2,1-]quinazolin-11-thione with furfural. The mol-ecule crystallizes in the monoclinic system ( space group) and has an configuration with respect to the exocyclic C=C bond. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked through C-H⋯π(furan) inter-actions, forming zigzag chains propagating along the [001] direction.

Dolomite-Foamed Bioactive Silicate Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Repair.

The use of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds is recognized worldwide as a valuable biomedical approach for promoting tissue regeneration in critical-size bone defects. Over the last 50 years, bioactive glasses have been intensively investigated in a wide range of different clinical applications, from orthopedics to soft tissue healing. Bioactive glasses exhibit the unique capability to chemically bond to the host tissue and, furthermore, their processing versatility makes them very appealing due to the availability of different manufacturing techniques for the production of porous and interconnected synthetic bone grafts able to support new tissue growth over the whole duration of the treatment.

Superior biocompatibility and comparable osteoinductive properties: Sodium-reduced fluoride-containing bioactive glass belonging to the CaO-MgO-SiO system as a promising alternative to 45S5 bioactive glass.

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are promising bone substitute materials. However, under certain circumstances BGs such as the well-known 45S5 Bioglass® (composition in wt%: 45.0 SiO, 24.

Transparent nonlinear networks.

We consider the reflectionless transport of solitons in networks. The system is modeled in terms of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation on metric graphs, for which transparent boundary conditions at the branching points are imposed. This approach allows to derive simple constraints, which link the equivalent usual Kirchhoff-type vertex conditions to the transparent ones.

Structural and Optical Characteristics of Aqueous Solutions of Acetic Acid.

A refractometric method, coupled with molecular dynamics study, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy, was used to determine optical characteristics of concentration features of aqueous solutions of acetic acid. Measurements of the refractive index of aqueous solutions of acetic acid in the wide range of acetic acid concentrations (∼ 0 ÷ 1 mole fraction) in a solution at a room temperature were conducted. Maximum value of refractive index was detected at a concentration of ∼0.

Charged solitons in branched conducting polymers.

We consider the dynamics of charged solitons in branched conducting polymers, such as, e.g., -polyacetylene.

Effect of Alumina Incorporation on the Surface Mineralization and Degradation of a Bioactive Glass (CaO-MgO-SiO₂-Na₂O-P₂O₅-CaF₂)-Glycerol Paste.

This study investigates the dissolution behavior as well as the surface biomineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF) of a paste composed of glycerol (gly) and a bioactive glass in the system CaO-MgO-SiO₂-Na₂O-P₂O₅-CaF₂ (BG). The synthesis of the bioactive glass in an alumina crucible has been shown to significantly affect its bioactivity due to the incorporation of aluminum (ca. 1.

Three-dimensional AgO/BiOI p-n heterojunction photocatalyst harnessing UV-vis-NIR broad spectrum for photodegradation of organic pollutants.

AgO nanoparticles-loaded BiOI microspheres forming a three dimensional AgO/BiOI p-n heterojunction photocatalyst with wide-spectrum response were synthesized in this study. The results of transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the AgO nanoparticles with the diameter of ca. 10-20nm were distributed on the surfaces of BiOI nanosheets.

Understanding the Formation of CaAlSiO in Melilite-Based Glass-Ceramics: Combined Diffraction and Spectroscopic Studies.

An assessment is undertaken for the formation of anorthite crystalline phase in a melilite-based glass composition (CMAS: 38.7CaO-9.7MgO-12.

Hydrophobicity and polymer compatibility of POSS-modified Wyoming Na-montmorillonite for developing polymer-clay nanocomposites.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the hydrophobicity and polymer compatibility of aminopropylisooctyl polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) - modified Na-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) towards developing polymer-clay nanocomposites. The effect of different concentrations of POSS on properties of Na-MMT was studied. The intercalation ability of the POSS molecules into the Na-MMT interlayer was analyzed by X-ray diffraction.

Submicrometer Hollow Bioglass Cones Deposited by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering: Formation Mechanism, Properties, and Prospective Biomedical Applications.

This work reports on the unprecedented magnetron sputtering deposition of submicrometric hollow cones of bioactive glass at low temperature in the absence of any template or catalyst. The influence of sputtering conditions on the formation and development of bioglass cones was studied. It was shown that larger populations of well-developed cones could be achieved by increasing the argon sputtering pressure.

Superior biofunctionality of dental implant fixtures uniformly coated with durable bioglass films by magnetron sputtering.

Bioactive glasses are currently considered the suitable candidates to stir the quest for a new generation of osseous implants with superior biological/functional performance. In congruence with this vision, this contribution aims to introduce a reliable technological recipe for coating fairly complex 3D-shaped implants (e.g.

Soliton transport in tubular networks: transmission at vertices in the shrinking limit.

Soliton transport in tubelike networks is studied by solving the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) on finite thickness ("fat") graphs. The dependence of the solution and of the reflection at vertices on the graph thickness and on the angle between its bonds is studied and related to a special case considered in our previous work, in the limit when the thickness of the graph goes to zero. It is found that both the wave function and reflection coefficient reproduce the regime of reflectionless vertex transmission studied in our previous work.

Structure, biodegradation behavior and cytotoxicity of alkali-containing alkaline-earth phosphosilicate glasses.

We report on the effect of sodium on the structure, chemical degradation and bioactivity of glasses in the CaO-MgO-SiO2-P2O5-CaF2 system. The (29)Si and (31)P magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of melt-quenched glasses with varying Na2O/MgO ratios exhibit a silicate glass network with the dominance of Q(2)(Si) units and phosphorus mainly forming orthophosphate species. Sodium incorporation in the glasses did not induce a significant structural change in the silicate network, while it did influence the phosphate environment due to its lower ionic field strength in comparison with that of magnesium.

High-fidelity rapid ground-state loading of an ultracold gas into an optical lattice.

A protocol is proposed for the rapid coherent loading of a Bose-Einstein condensate into the ground state of an optical lattice, without residual excitation associated with the breakdown of adiabaticity. The driving potential required to assist the rapid loading is derived using the fast-forward technique, and generates the ground state in any desired short time. We propose an experimentally feasible loading scheme using a bichromatic lattice potential, which approximates the fast-forward driving potential with high fidelity.

Electric-dipole-induced universality for Dirac fermions in graphene.

We study electric dipole effects for massive Dirac fermions in graphene and related materials. The dipole potential accommodates towers of infinitely many bound states exhibiting a universal Efimov-like scaling hierarchy. The dipole moment determines the number of towers, but there is always at least one tower.